LULU Wood

LuLu is a wood artist with a background in landscape architecture. Her work draws inspiration from the quiet companionship of animals and the gentle rhythms of everyday life. Each sculpture begins with a single block of wood and takes shape through a patient, intuitive process - resulting in tender, one of a kind pieces full of personality and charm.

This marks the debut of her work in North America. We’re honored to share this collection with you, and hope it brings a little warmth and joy into your life.

Could you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is LuLu, and I’m an independent wood sculpture artist.

I was born in 1996 and studied landscape architecture during both my undergraduate and graduate years. In 2021, I began teaching myself wood carving, and I’ve been practicing it ever since.

Animals are the heart of my inspiration. Through sculpting their unique personalities and tender everyday moments, I hope to capture and share those fleeting instances of charm and sincerity - tiny emotional fragments that can gently comfort and heal. Each piece is a small companion, carved with care and filled with quiet warmth.

When did you fall in love with wood carving? What inspired you to become a wood artist?

I’ve always enjoyed quiet, hands-on activities like drawing and crafting since I was a child. When I tried wood carving by chance, I realized it was the craft form I loved the most.

One of the reasons is how accessible it is - even a small branch and a carving knife are enough to get started. Another reason is its relatively eco-friendly process: it doesn’t produce large amounts of harmful gases. I primarily use manual tools like chisels and carving knives, avoiding electric tools as much as possible to minimize noise and dust, which also makes it a craft more suitable for long-term practice.

By the time I graduated, I was already deeply immersed in the world of wood carving. I thought to myself - if I love it this much, why not give it a try and see if I could turn it into a profession? And now, I’m fortunate enough to be living that dream, working full-time as a wood carving artist.

Your work features many charming animal characters. What draws you to this theme, and why do you choose animals as your primary subject of expression?

I’ve had a deep love for nature and animals for as long as I can remember, so choosing them as my creative theme came quite naturally. To me, animals carry an innocence and sincerity that resonates deeply.

Wood itself, being a material once full of life, now transformed into another form of nature’s memory, holds a quiet, poignant beauty. Giving it new life through carving feels almost magical - like a small act of revival through my hands.

I have a particular fondness for cats. The very first time I picked up a carving knife, I made a cat, and to this day, feline figures still dominate much of my work. That said, I’m also fascinated by lesser-seen animals - amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic creatures - and I hope to gradually bring more of them into my work in the future.

What part of the creative process do you enjoy the most, and which part do you find the most challenging?

Each stage of the process brings its own set of challenges - carving mistakes, unsatisfactory colors that require reworking - but the most difficult part is often the beginning. I tend to hesitate before picking up the carving knife, afraid that the finished piece won’t live up to what I envisioned.

As for the most enjoyable moment, it’s undoubtedly the feeling of watching a piece gradually take shape, all the way to completion. That journey from nothing to something captures the pure joy of creating.

Wood carving is often described as the art of subtraction. How do you personally interpret this idea in your creative practice? Are there any insights or reflections you’d like to share?

Once a piece of wood is carved away, there is no turning back. Every cut must be made with intention and care. Even now, when I take on unfamiliar animals or more complex postures, I often feel a flicker of hesitation.

Over time, I have come to welcome the uncertainties that naturally arise during creation. When I have a clear vision of the overall form, I try not to dwell too much on the finer details. Instead, I allow the process to guide me. These quiet improvisations often bring a gentle vitality to the finished piece, revealing a beauty I did not plan, but deeply cherish.